Noise shaped interpolator and decimator apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Improved interpolator and decimator apparatus and methods, including the addition of an elastic storage element in the signal path. In one exemplary embodiment, the elastic element comprises a FIFO which advantageously allows short term variation in sample clocks to be absorbed, and also provides a feedback mechanism for controlling a delta-sigma modulated modulo-N counter based sample clock generator. The elastic element combined with a delta-sigma modulator and counter creates a noise-shaped frequency lock loop without additional components, resulting in a much simplified interpolator and decimator.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/493,041 filed Aug. 5, 2003 and 60/496,320 filed Aug. 18, 2003each entitled “NOISE SHAPED INTERPOLATOR AND DECIMATOR APPARATUS ANDMETHOD” and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to co-owned and co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/382,297 filed Mar. 4, 2003 and entitled“RESONANT POWER CONVERTER FOR RADIO FREQUENCY TRANSMISSION AND METHOD”,published on Feb. 26, 2004 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 20040037363,which claims priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 60/361,812 of the same title filed Mar. 4, 2002, and co-ownedand co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/382,326 filed Mar. 4,2003 and entitled “CODER APPARATUS FOR RESONANT POWER CONVERSION ANDMETHOD” published on Nov. 20, 2003 as U.S. Patent Publication No.20030216906, which claims priority benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/361,813 of the same title filed Mar. 4, 2002,each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.This application is also related to co-owned U.S. Patent Application No.10/______ entitled “VARIABLE CODER APPARATUS FOR RESONANT POWERCONVERSION AND METHOD” (which claims priority to provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/493,053 of the same title filed Aug. 5, 2003),and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/______ entitled “IMPROVED RADIOFREQUENCY DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER” (which claims priority toprovisional patent application Ser. No. 60/493,053 filed Aug. 5, 2003),both filed contemporaneously herewith and incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally radio frequency signals, andspecifically for efficient apparatus and methods for radio frequency(RF) signal transmission, reception, and modulation.

2. Description of Related Technology

In theory, digital sample rate conversion between two different clockrates can be performed without introduction of sample error (phasenoise) if the two sample frequencies are related by a rational ratio.This is typically accomplished by interpolating to the lowest frequencythat is a multiple of both the source and sink sample rates, and thendecimating to the required sink sample rate. If the two sample rates arenot rationally related, as will be the case at least part of the time ifthey are varying with respect to one another, then phase noise will beintroduced even if the source and sink sample clocks are ideal. Inpractice, jitter on the source and sink clocks result in theintroduction of phase noise even if the rates are related rationally, sonoise-shaped delta-sigma modulated fractional-N (“Frac-N”) sample rateconverters are often the best choice even when the source and sinkclocks are rationally related.

Fractional rate interpolators create an effective interpolation ratethat is the average of a series of integer hold values. For example, afractional interpolation rate of 7.5 could be created by alternating 7cycle sample-holds with 8 cycle sample-holds. Sequence repetition suchas this would, however, create significant tones in the spectralresponse of the interpolator. If instead a random sequence of 7's and8's was chosen, with an equal number of 7's and 8's on average, then thesame fractional interpolation rate would be achieved, but thequantization error would appear as noise spread across the spectruminstead of the more discrete tones produced by the alternating schemepreviously described.

Delta-sigma modulated fractional-N interpolators operate on thisprinciple, except that rather than generate a random stream of 7's and8's (in the context of the foregoing example), the stream is generatedto shape the quantization noise spectrally such that it is reduced inthe frequencies of interest, and appears at frequencies that are easilyfiltered. The principles of delta-sigma modulation are well known in thesignal processing arts and are described in, e.g., “Delta-Sigma DataConverters —Theory, Design and Simulation”, Norsworthy, et al., IEEEPress, 1997.

Both Integer and Fractional-N digital sample rate converters have beendescribed in the literature; see U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,152 issued Mar. 5,1996 and entitled “Digital-to-Digital Conversion Using Non-UniformSample Rates” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety;and “Sample-Rate Conversion: Algorithms and VLSI Implementation”, Diss.ETH No. 10980, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich (1995),also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Many issuesassociated with tracking source and sink clocks have also been addressedin the prior art.

The prior art solutions, however, have several drawbacks associatedtherewith. Most notably, each requires a complete digital phase lockloop (PLL) in addition to the interpolator in order to provide thedesired tracking between source and sink clock domains. This PLLarrangement is costly in terms of additional complexity and powerconsumption. It also reduces the robustness of the interpolator deviceas a whole. What would be ideal is a solution where the PLL could beobviated in favor of a simpler and less power-consumptive architecture.

Additionally, prior art solutions do not provide the ability todynamically adapt the operation of the interpolator (or decimator) as afunction of operational conditions or parameters, such as transmitterpower. Such prior art interpolators also generate significant phasenoise which may undesirably fall within certain bands of interest,thereby degrading the performance of the parent device (e.g., RFtransmitter).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the aforementioned needs by providing animproved apparatus and methods for digital interpolation, decimation andsample rate conversion.

In a first aspect of the invention, improved interpolator apparatususeful in a communications circuit is disclosed, comprising: an elasticstorage element; a filter; and a delta-sigma modulator. In oneembodiment, the interpolator uses the elastic storage element to bufferor absorb sample rate variations occurring between two different clockor data domains. A low pass filter (LPF) filters the error signalrelated to the difference between the two domains; this filtered signalacts as an input to the delta-sigma modulator. The modulator output isinput to a modulo-N counter, the output of which is used to adjust thesample rate in the asynchronous (e.g., read) domain.

In a second aspect of the invention, improved decimator apparatus usefulin a communications circuit is disclosed, comprising: an elastic storageelement; a filter; and a delta-sigma modulator. In one embodiment, thedecimator uses the elastic storage element to buffer or absorb samplerate variations occurring between two different clock or data domains,akin (but for the decimation function) to the interpolator describedabove. A low pass filter (LPF) filters the error signal related to thedifference between the two domains; this filtered signal acts as aninput to the delta-sigma modulator. The modulator output is input to amodulo-N counter, the output of which is used to adjust the sample ratein the asynchronous (e.g., write) domain.

In a third aspect of the invention, improved radio frequency apparatusincluding a fractional oscillator having a modulus update frequency isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the oscillator comprises a delta-sigmaphase-locked loop (PLL). The radio frequency apparatus utilizes atransmit frequency and receive frequency, and the PLL utilizes a modulusupdate frequency comprising a multiple or sub-multiple of an offsetbetween the receive frequency and the transmit frequency. The modulusupdate frequency can also be dynamically varied as a function of atleast one parameter such as transmitter power, and/or the order of thedelta-sigma PLL (where a variable-order device is used).

In a fourth aspect of the invention, a method of suppressing phase noisein a radio frequency device having a transmit frequency and receivefrequency is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises:providing a delta-sigma Frac-N phase lock loop (PLL) having a modulus;and updating the modulus at a frequency comprising a multiple orsub-multiple of an offset between the receive frequency and transmitfrequency. The updating reduces the presence of phase noise generated bythe PLL at the receive frequency.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, a method of operating a fractional-Ninterpolator apparatus comprising a delta-sigma modulator, first andsecond clock domains, and an elastic buffer disposed operatively betweenthe clock domains is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises:clocking data into the buffer using the first clock domain; generatingan error signal related to the difference between the first and secondclock domains; filtering the error signal; modulating the filtered errorsignal; and generating a clock period signal based at least in part onthe modulated filtered signal. Data is read from the elastic buffer inan asynchronous fashion based at least in part on the clock periodsignal.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, a method of operating a fractional-Ninterpolation or decimation apparatus comprising a delta-sigmamodulator, first and second clock domains, one of the clock domainsoperating at a speed greater than the other, is disclosed. In oneembodiment, the method comprises asynchronously clocking data out of orinto an elastic storage element disposed between the two clock domainsbased at least in part on a signal generated by the delta-sigmamodulator and counter.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, improved radio frequencytransceiver apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatuscomprises: a baseband processor adapted to process a plurality ofbaseband data; and a transmitter comprising a delta-sigma modulatorfractional-N interpolator. The transmitter comprises a direct conversiontransmitter adapted to convert directly from baseband to carrierfrequency, and includes a resonator. The interpolator comprises anelastic storage element, low-pass filter and modulo counter, the storageelement, filter, modulator and counter cooperating to elastically buffervariations in sampling rates between an input domain and output domainof the interpolator. The interpolator and transmitter also cooperate tosuppress phase noise within at least one frequency band other than afrequency band used by the transmitter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, objectives, and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent from the detailed description set forth below when takenin conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic (circuit) diagram of an exemplary embodiment of aninterpolator circuit according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of theelastic storage device (and associated components) of the interpolatorof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a decimatorcircuit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plot of the noise transfer function of an exemplary coder(fifth order) according to the invention, showing the notch at 637.4783MHz with respect to the sample rate of 1880 MHz.

FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of a spectrum generated usinginteger (non-fractional) interpolation of the combined interpolation andfiltering stages.

FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of a spectrum generated using thefractional sample rate converter, of the combined interpolation andfiltering stages.

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the spectrum of FIG. 6, specifically at thenotch frequency corresponding to the receive band.

FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of an exemplary spectrum of theoutput of an I-coder following the fractional rate interpolator.

FIG. 9 is a graphical representation of the spectral output of anexemplary I-coder (partial view).

FIG. 10 is a graphical representation of an exemplary spectrum of theoutput of the digital transmitter that combines and upconverts the I andQ coders.

FIG. 11 shows the frequency response for an exemplary bandpass filter/RFresonator/duplexer configuration according to the invention.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary output spectrum of the exemplary digitaltransmitter of the invention after the analog bandpass filter and RFresonator and duplexer.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary radio frequencytransceiver circuit incorporating both the interpolator and decimatorapparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of another embodiment of a radiofrequency transceiver circuit according to the present invention,incorporating a phase-lock loop (PLL) arrangement.

FIG. 15 is a graphical representation of an exemplary digitaltransmitter showing the phase noise transfer function of the VCO outputof a fractional-N delta-sigma PLL having sin(x)/x sampling nullsoccurring at multiples an exemplary receiver frequency offset (e.g., 80MHz) from the transmitter.

FIG. 16 is a graphical representation of an exemplary digitaltransmitter showing the phase noise profile of the VCO output offractional-N delta-sigma PLL having sin(x)/x sampling nulls occurring atmultiples of the receiver frequency offset from the transmitter.

FIG. 17 is a graphical representation of an exemplary digitaltransmitter showing the output with a pure carrier, using a fractional-Ndelta-sigma PLL having sin(x)/x sampling nulls occurring at multiples ofthe receive frequency offset from the transmitter.

FIG. 18 is a graphical representation of an exemplary digitaltransmitter showing the spectral output of the overall digitaltransmitter prior to analog bandpass filter/duplexer, but with phasenoise in accordance with FIGS. 15, 16, and 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer tolike parts throughout.

As used herein, the term “code division multiple access,” or CDMA,generally refers to digital wireless technology that uses a spreadspectrum technique to disperse a signal across a wide range offrequencies, such as according to a pseudo-noise or other code.

As used herein, the terms “transmit”, “transmission”and “transmitting”for convenience may generally be considered to refer to both the acts oftransmitting signals and receiving signals, as applicable.

As used herein, the term “processor” is meant generally to include alltypes of data or signal processing devices including, withoutlimitation, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction setcomputers (RISC), general-purpose (CISC) processors, microprocessors,gate arrays (e.g., FPGAs), Reconfigurable Compute Fabrics (RCFs), andapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Such digitalprocessors may be contained on a single unitary IC die, or distributedacross multiple components.

As used herein the terms “memory”, “storage element”, and “storagedevice” are meant to include any means for storing data or information,including, without limitation, RAM (e.g., SRAM, SDRAM, DRAM, SDRAM,EDR-DRAM, DDR), ROM (e.g., PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, UV-EPROM), magneticbubble memory, optical memory, embedded flash memory, etc.

Overview—

The present invention provides, inter alia, an improved interpolator anddecimator architectures having simplicity as well as increasedefficiency. These benefits are largely afforded through the use of oneor more “elastic” storage elements (e.g., an asynchronous FIFO) in thesignal path, which can obviate the digital phase lock loop (PLL) orother comparable components under the prior art.

The addition of an elastic storage element in the signal path accordingto the present invention advantageously allows short term variation insample clocks to be absorbed, and also provides a feedback mechanism forcontrolling a delta-sigma modulated modulo-N counter based sample clockgenerator. In essence, the elastic element(s) (e.g., FIFO(s)) combinedwith a delta-sigma modulator and counter creates a noise-shapedfrequency-lock loop without additional components, resulting in a muchsimplified interpolator or decimator as compared to prior art solutions.This not only reduces the complexity and cost of any parent device(e.g., wireless handset, etc.) using this architecture, but alsoincreases its robustness and efficiency.

Exemplary Interpolator/Decimator Apparatus—

It will be recognized that while described in the context of anexemplary wireless communications system, the present invention is notso limited, and may be utilized within a variety of differentapplications readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artprovided the present disclosure, including non-wireless (e.g., wirelineor coaxial) systems. The following embodiments are therefore merelyillustrative of the broader principles of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the improvedinterpolator apparatus 100 according to the invention is described. Theembodiment of FIG. 1 comprises a noise-shaped frequency-tracking digitalsample rate interpolator, and includes an “elastic” storage element 102(here, an asynchronous FIFO, shown in FIG. 2, although other types ofdevices may be used to provide this functionality), a digital low passfilter (LPF) 104 which filters and scales the error signal generated inthe circuit 100, a noise shaped delta-sigma modulator 106, and a modulocounter 108 that converts the output of the delta-sigma modulator 106 toa clock period. Data is input and output via two respective ports 105,107 of the storage element 102. The circuit 100 is also provided with anoffset input 109 to allow user-selected offsets as describedsubsequently herein.

As used herein, the term “elastic” refers generally to any component orgroup of components which act to at least partly decouple one domainfrom one or more others, or provide buffering there between. Forexample, as described in greater detail below, the exemplary embodimentof the interpolator circuit uses the elastic storage element tosubstantially decouple or buffer between two clock domains, therebyallowing some degree of independence in their operation.

The exemplary elastic storage device 102 comprises a circuit 200 havingan asynchronous FIFO (shown in detail in FIG. 2). The FIFO 102 comprisesa multi-port (dual port) RAM 202 with clocked write 204 and asynchronousread 206 of the type well known in the computer arts, although it willbe appreciated that other configurations of storage device may be used,the present invention not being limited to a dual-port or evenmulti-port RAM. For example, a single-port storage device adapted forasynchronous accesses by two or more bus masters may be used, assumingthe access rates for each master are sufficiently fast. As anotheralternative, a buffered non-blocking switch fabric of the type wellknown in the digital processor arts may conceivably be used.

The exemplary dual-port RAM device 202 of FIG. 2 includes inter alia awrite enable (WE) port, write address (waddr) and read address (raddr)ports, and a clock port, In the illustrated embodiment, read and writepointers are built with Gray code counters, with the write counterresiding in the source clock domain and the read counter residing in thesink (read) clock domain. Both pointers in the circuit 200 of FIG. 2 arere-clocked into the other domain and a current count of entries iscalculated in each domain. The count in the slower domain of the circuit200 of FIG. 2 may contain anomalies due to skew in the re-clocking, andaccordingly is not utilized in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2(although it will be recognized that such slower domain clocking may beutilized if the foregoing anomalies are corrected, or for otherpurposes).

The count in the faster domain (i.e., sink for an interpolator, sourcefor a decimator) is always reliable due to the use of Gray codearithmetic. As is well known. Gray codes (also called cyclical orprogressive codes) have historically been useful in mechanical encoderssince a slight change in location only affects one bit. However, thesesame codes offer other benefits well understood to one skilled in theart including being hazard-free for logic and other conditions thatcould give rise to faulty operation of the circuit. The use of such Graycodes also have important advantages in power saving designs. Becauseonly one bit changes per state change, there is a minimal number ofcircuit elements involved in switching per input change. This in turnreduces the amount of dynamic power by limiting the number of switchednodes toggled per clock change. Using a typical binary code, up to nbits could change, with up to n subnets changing per clock or inputchange.

In the context of the illustrated embodiment, the word is beingresynchronized across clock boundaries. Since only one bit changes,there is no possibility of getting a wrong value due to clock skew. Forexample, for the change from decimal “1” to “2” in binary compriseschanging from “01” to “1038 . If the sample clock occurs at the sametime the bits are changing, the re-clocked value could be any of 00, 01,10, or 11, depending on the clock skew and exact relationship betweenclock and data. Since Gray code is used, the transition is from “01” to“11”, and the only possibilities are “01” (clock early) or “11”(clocklate).

It will also be appreciated that the above-referenced power savings(reduced switching) may also be realized through the use of Gray codesin, e.g., integrated circuit implementations of the circuits 100, 200.

It is recognized that in the illustrated embodiment, the rate of changeof the number of entries in the FIFO 102 is the difference between thesource sample rate and the sink sample rate. In other words, the numberof entries is the integral of the difference between the source and sinksample rates. This is exactly the signal that is needed as input to thedelta-sigma modulator to control the average number of sink clock cyclesper source clock cycle (for an interpolator; the opposite is true of adecimator). In practice, this signal is low-pass filtered, and the FIFO102 is used to absorb short term variations in the ratio of source andsink sample rates. The number of entries in the FIFO 102 sets the rangeof frequency ratios over which the loop can lock, and an offset can beadded to set the midpoint of that range if desired.

The order and bit-width of the delta-sigma modulator 106 is chosen toallow the desired noise shaping within the constraints of the sink tosource sample ratio. An offset may be added to the delta-sigma modulatoroutput to set a minimum sample period. The maximum sample period is theoffset plus the maximum delta-sigma modulator output (e.g.,2^(bit-width)−1). In the exemplary configuration, this would be centeredaround the anticipated source-to-sink sample ratio, although othervalues may conceivably be used.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exemplary configuration of a noise shapeddecimator circuit 300 according to the invention is shown. Thisdecimator is basically the dual of the interpolator. In this case, Nsamples of input data, where N is controlled by the delta-sigmamodulator 306, are accumulated and then dumped to the elastic storageelement (e.g., FIFO) 302. Since the source clock is now faster than thesink clock, the feedback from the FIFO 302 is taken in the source clockdomain, but the rest of the fractional-N locked loop behaves in exactlythe same manner as for the interpolator previously described herein withrespect to FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-12, an exemplary implementation of a fractionalsample rate interpolator (part of an exemplary digital radioarchitecture described by the co-pending pending U.S. patentapplications previously referenced herein) is discussed in detail forpurposes of illustration. It will be recognized that the presentinvention is in no way limited to the details, values, or configurationof the following example.

In the exemplary architecture, the digital samples are being filteredand up-converted from a base-band rate of 1.2288 MHz, to a carrier ratethat can vary from 1850 to 1910 MHz. This is done in three stages, wherethe combined interpolation of the first two stages is 192, and the thirdstage is implemented using the described invention. The base-bandfrequency and range of carrier frequencies, when taken with the fixedinterpolation ratio of 192, imply that the final interpolation will bein the range of approximately 7.7 to 8.1. The example spectra weregenerated with a ratio of 1880/(1.2288*192) or about 7.9685. Withrespect to the fractional sample rate converter, this means that theinput sample rate is 1.2288MHz * 192=235.9296 MHz, and the output samplerate is 1880 MHz. The receive band is 80 MHz offset above the transmitband. The noise-shaping delta-sigma modulator (coder) must suppressnoise at around this frequency with a 1.2288 MHz bandwidth. The codereffectively runs at 1880 MHz. The frequency to be suppressed fromquantization noise is therefore 80 MHz * 7.9685=637.4783 MHzapproximately. The ratio 647.4783/1880=0.33908 approximately, which isthe relative normalized frequency we must place a null at in the noiseshaping coder for noise suppression.

FIG. 4 is a plot of the noise transfer function of the coder, showingthe notch at 637.4783 MHz approximately.

FIG. 5 is a spectrum using integer (non-fractional) interpolation of thecombined interpolation and filtering stages.

FIG. 6 is a spectrum, using the fractional sample rate converter, of thecombined interpolation and filtering stages.

FIG. 7 is a focus view of FIG. 6 at the notch frequency location ofinterest corresponding to the receive band. The frequency scales ofFIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are calibrated with respect to the symbol rate.Therefore, the 80 MHz frequency is 80/1.2288=65.1 with respect to thesymbol rate.

FIG. 8 is a spectrum of the output of the I-coder that follows thefractional rate interpolator, and FIG. 9 is a focus view thereof.

FIG. 10 is a spectrum of the output of the digital transmitter thatcombines and upconverts the I and Q coders.

FIG. 11 shows the frequency response of the RF resonator/duplex filter,and FIG. 12 is a spectrum of the digital transmitter after the RFresonator/duplexer is applied. The noise in the receive band is notappreciably degraded by the fractional sample rate converter.

RF System with Interpolator/Decimator—

Referring now to FIG. 13, an exemplary radio frequency transceiversystem utilizing the improved converter of the present invention isdescribed.

In one embodiment, the transceiver 1300 comprises a transmitter section1301 with baseband processor 1302, a fractional interpolator 1304 (suchas that described herein), noise shaping coder (NSC) 1310, sample andhold interpolator 1312, a digital I/Q quadrature mixer and combiner1313, and a high-efficiency DAC 1314 (such as that described inco-pending and co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/______entitled “IMPROVED RADIO FREQUENCY DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER”previously incorporated herein). A resonator (not shown) is alsoutilized in conjunction with the duplexer 1316 to generate the analogoutput of the transmitter. As described in detail in co-owned andco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/382,297 filed Mar. 4,2003 previously incorporated herein, the interpolator, NSC, DAC andresonator cooperate to convert the digital in-phase (I) and quadrature(Q) signals obtained from the baseband processor directly to an analogrepresentation at carrier frequency for transmission over an antenna ina highly power-efficient manner. In one variant, the transmitter isfurther adapted to dislocate quantization noise generated by thetransmitter outside of one or more receive bands associated with arelated receiver unit of the transmitter.

The transceiver circuit 1300 of FIG. 13 also includes a receiver section1320 including the duplexer 1316, analog-to-digital converter (ADC)1322, fractional decimator 1324 (which includes the fractionalnoise-shaping decimator described herein), and baseband processor 1326(which may or may not be the same baseband processor 1302 as describedabove). The received signals are duplexed and sent to the ADC (via abandpass filter and low noise amplifier), wherein they are converted tothe digital domain. Here the fractional noise-shaping decimatordecimates the signal and ultimately (with the aid of other decimation)produces the digital in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signals which maythen be processed by the baseband processor.

Alternate Embodiments—

In another aspect of the invention, an improved RF device and method ofoperating the same is disclosed. Referring to FIGS. 14-18, the presentinvention also optionally includes a means for reducing the sensitivityto phase noise and causing less degradation in the receive band, whichmay be offset in frequency from the transmit band in a full duplextransceiver.

In one exemplary embodiment of the architecture employing thisimprovement, a fractional-N phase lock loop (PLL) is provided having amodulus update frequency at a multiple or sub-multiple of the receivefrequency offset from the transmitter. For example, in a CDMA system,the receive frequency is typically 80 MHz above the transmit frequency.If the modulus updates at 80 MHz, or even 40 MHz or 20 MHz, etc., thensin(x)/x nulls will occur at multiples of the update rate. It will berecognized that this feature is not limited to only receive frequencyoffsets, but rather may be based on any value (or-offset) if desired.

It will also be appreciated that the present invention can be used witha variable coder as well, such as for example the variable order coderdescribed in co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/______ entitled “VARIABLE CODER APPARATUS FOR RESONANT POWERCONVERSION AND METHOD” filed contemporaneously herewith, andincorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of a PLL-based transceiverapparatus 1400. In this embodiment, the baseband clocks related to F_(b)are derived from an independent clock source, and the carrier-relatedclocks related to F_(c) are derived from an independent PLL 1402 with amodulus update frequency control signal, F_(modulus) 1406. The PLL 1402may be of the type ordinary in the art, such as a Fractional-N synthesisPLL (as shown) or a delta-sigma PLL, or any other structure whichprovides the aforementioned functionality. As will be appreciated, thisapproach can be applied to both the interpolator and decimator circuits.

FIG. 15 is a plot of the phase noise transfer function of the VCO of afractional-N phase lock loop (PLL) (such as that of FIG. 14) having amodulus update rate of 80 MHz. Advantageously, there is significantattenuation at 80 MHz, as opposed to the single-pole roll-off thatoccurs at lower frequencies.

FIG. 16 is a plot of the phase noise profile that follows FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a plot of a pure transmit carrier frequency, i.e., anunmodulated periodic sequence of {1,0,−1,0}, but with jittered samplingedges in accordance with the phase noise profile that follows from FIG.16. The noise at 80 MHz offset in a 1.2288 MHz bandwidth is −168dBm/Hz,where the transmit power is +28dBm.

FIG. 18 is a plot of the actual modulated sequence having jitteredsampling edges in accordance with the phase noise profile that followsfrom FIG. 16. This plot, FIG. 18, can be compared with that of FIG. 10.The noise at 80 MHz offset in a 1.2288 MHz bandwidth is −149dBm/Hz, asopposed to −153dBm/Hz in the ideal case without jitter or phase noise.It should be noted that if the same duplexer/resonator is applied (ascomparing FIG. 10 with FIG. 12), then the receive noise is additionallysuppressed by another 40 dB or so using the aforementioned techniques.

It will be further recognized that the disclosed techniques for reducingphase noise (e.g., in the receive band(s)) may be used selectively withrespect to the other aspects of the present invention. For example, itis contemplated that the modulus update frequency of the aforementionedfractional-N phase lock loop may be dynamically or selectively varieddepending on various factors including the need for further suppressionin the receive band, power consumption, etc. The fractional-N PLL mayalso be selectively switched in or out if desired as well, and/or putinto a “sleep” mode under certain operating conditions to conservepower. Myriad different schemes for selectively utilizing and/orcontrolling the operation of the fractional-N PLL may be used consistentwith the invention, as will be recognized by those of ordinary skillwhen provided the present disclosure.

It can be appreciated that the various circuits of the present inventionmay be rendered as stand-alone or discrete electronic circuits, as wellas integrated circuit (IC) devices. Such integrated circuit devices mayinclude, for example, system-on-chip (SoC) devices which integratemultiple functions or modules onto a single semiconductive die renderedin a sub-micron SiGe process. For example, in one embodiment of thepresent invention, the interpolator (and/or decimator) circuits areincluded with the digitally switched resonator, noise shaping coder,etc. of the direct-conversion architecture referenced above. Basebandprocessing may also optionally be included within this device. Thishighly integrated approach provides significant benefits in terms ofsize and compactness, power consumption, and ease of design andimplementation. It also leverages one of the primary benefits of theexemplary direct-conversion architecture described above; i.e.,simplification and obviation of many prior art RF amplifier andup-conversion/down-conversion components that would otherwise beprovided as discrete devices.

It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the invention aredescribed in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method orordering of components in an apparatus adapted to implement themethodology of the invention, these descriptions are only illustrativeof the broader invention, and may be modified as required by theparticular application. Certain steps/components may be renderedunnecessary or optional under certain circumstances. Additionally,certain steps/components or functionality may be added to the disclosedembodiments, or the order of performance of two or more steps orcomponents permuted. All such variations are considered to beencompassed within the invention disclosed and claimed herein.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changesin the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Theforegoing description is of the best mode presently contemplated ofcarrying out the invention. This description is in no way meant to belimiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the generalprinciples of the invention. The scope of the invention should bedetermined with reference to the claims.

1. Radio frequency transceiver apparatus comprising: a basebandprocessor adapted to process a plurality of baseband data; and adirect-conversion transmitter comprising a resonator and a delta-sigmamodulator fractional-N interpolator, said interpolator comprising: anelastic data storage element coupled between two clock domains of saidtransmitter; a low-pass filter; and a modulo counter; wherein saidstorage element, filter, modulator and counter cooperate to create afrequency-locked loop to elastically buffer variations in sampling ratesbetween said two domains of said interpolator; and wherein saidtransmitter is adapted to suppress phase noise within at least onereceive frequency band using at least said interpolator.
 2. Interpolatorapparatus useful in a communications circuit, comprising: an elasticstorage element; a filter; and a delta-sigma modulator.
 3. Theinterpolator apparatus of claim 2, wherein said elastic storage elementis operatively coupled to said filter, and said filter is operativelycoupled to said modulator.
 4. The interpolator apparatus of claim 2,further comprising a modulo counter coupled to said modulator.
 5. Theinterpolator apparatus of claim 3, wherein said elastic storage elementcomprises a multi-port RAM FIFO.
 6. The interpolator apparatus of claim2, wherein said elastic storage element is interposed between twosubstantially independent clock domains.
 7. The interpolator apparatusof claim 6, wherein said elastic storage element comprises at least onedata input port and at least one data output port.
 8. The interpolatorapparatus of claim 6, wherein said interpolator apparatus is configuredto absorb variations between said two clock domains.
 9. The interpolatorapparatus of claim 2, wherein said apparatus forms a frequency-lockedloop (FLL).
 10. The interpolator apparatus of claim 2, wherein at leastsaid elastic storage element is configured to use Gray coding. 11.Decimator apparatus useful in a communications circuit, comprising: afilter; a delta-sigma modulator; and an elastic storage element.
 12. Thedecimator apparatus of claim 11, wherein said elastic storage element isoperatively coupled to said modulator, and said modulator is coupled tosaid filter.
 13. The decimator apparatus of claim 11, further comprisinga modulo counter interposed electrically between said modulator and saidelastic storage element.
 14. The decimator apparatus of claim 12,wherein said elastic storage element comprises a multi-port RAM FIFO.15. The decimator apparatus of claim 11, wherein said elastic storageelement is interposed between two substantially independent clockdomains.
 16. The decimator apparatus of claim 15, wherein said elasticstorage element comprises at least one data input port and at least onedata output port.
 17. The decimator apparatus of claim 15, wherein saiddecimator apparatus is configured to absorb variations between said twoclock domains.
 18. The decimator apparatus of claim 11, wherein saidapparatus forms a frequency-locked loop (FLL).
 19. The decimatorapparatus of claim 11, wherein at least said elastic storage element isconfigured to use Gray coding.
 20. Radio frequency apparatus comprisinga fractional-N oscillator having a modulus update frequency.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 20, wherein said oscillator comprises a delta-sigmaphase-locked loop (PLL).
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein saidradio frequency apparatus comprises a transmit frequency and receivefrequency, and said PLL utilizes a modulus update frequency comprising amultiple or sub-multiple of an offset between said receive frequency andsaid transmit frequency.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein saidradio frequency apparatus comprises a CDMA mobile unit.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 21, wherein said modulus update frequency is variableduring operation of said apparatus.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24,wherein said modulus update frequency is dynamically varied as afunction of at least one parameter selected from the group consistingof: (i) transmitter power, and (ii) the order of said delta-sigma PLL.26. A method of suppressing phase noise in a radio frequency devicehaving a transmit frequency and receive frequency, the methodcomprising: providing a phase lock loop (PLL) having a modulus; andupdating said modulus at a frequency comprising a multiple orsub-multiple of an offset between said receive frequency and transmitfrequency; wherein said act of updating reduces the presence of phasenoise generated by said PLL at said receive frequency.
 27. The method ofclaim 26, wherein said act of providing a PLL comprises providing afractional-N delta-sigma PLL.
 28. A method of operating a fractional-Ninterpolator apparatus comprising a delta-sigma modulator, first andsecond clock domains, and an elastic buffer disposed operatively betweensaid clock domains, the method comprising: clocking data into saidbuffer using said first clock domain; generating an error signal relatedto the difference between said first and second clock domains; filteringsaid error signal; modulating said filtered error signal; and generatinga clock period signal based at least in part on said modulated filteredsignal.
 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising reading said datafrom said elastic buffer in an asynchronous fashion based at least inpart on said clock period signal.
 30. A method of operating afractional-N interpolation or decimation apparatus comprising adelta-sigma modulator, first and second clock domains, one of said clockdomains operating at a speed greater than the other, the methodcomprising: asynchronously clocking data out of or into an elasticstorage element disposed between the two clock domains based at least inpart on a signal generated by said delta-sigma modulator and counter.31. Radio frequency transceiver apparatus comprising: a basebandprocessor adapted to process a plurality of baseband data; and atransmitter comprising a delta-sigma modulator fractional-Ninterpolator.
 32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said transmittercomprises a direct conversion transmitter adapted to convert directlyfrom baseband to carrier frequency.
 33. The apparatus of claim 32,wherein said direct conversion transmitter comprises a resonator. 34.The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said interpolator comprises anelastic storage element.
 35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein saidinterpolator further comprises a low-pass filter and modulo counter,said storage element, filter, modulator and counter cooperating toelastically buffer variations in sampling rates between an input domainand output domain of said interpolator.
 36. The apparatus of claim 31,wherein said interpolator and transmitter cooperate to suppress phasenoise within at least one frequency band other than a frequency bandused by said transmitter.
 37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said atleast one frequency band comprises a receive band offset from saidtransmit frequency band by an offset frequency value.
 38. The apparatusof claim 37, wherein said interpolator updates a modulus valueassociated with said interpolator at a frequency comprising a multipleor sub-multiple of said offset frequency value.